British beefeaters are the permanent guards of the Tower. Tower of London: the secret life of beefeaters Who is a beefeater

Illustration copyright Getty Image caption A military veteran can become a Tower guard after 22 years of distinguished service.

Yeoman guards have guarded the Tower of London since 1485, and are now tasked with welcoming 3 million visitors a year. However, when the last tourist leaves the evening Tower, life does not stop there - just like in the local pub, reliably hidden from prying eyes, the correspondent says.

It's 11am and I'm surrounded by the battlements of one of England's most famous landmarks.

I am in a room whose existence is known only to a few: it is a secret pub, where the uninitiated are not allowed.

Built in 1078, the Tower's history has been a royal palace, an imposing fortress, a notorious prison and a popular place for executions.

Narrow circle

It turns out that they also serve drinks here - of course, if you suddenly managed to become a yeoman guard.

Illustration copyright Image caption Yeoman guards stand on the drawbridge, newly built in 2014

The famously uniformed yeomen - known throughout the world as beefeaters - were first appointed by Henry VII to guard the Tower in 1485. Back then, this cobblestone fortress housed not only prisoners and members of the royal family, but also hundreds of other inhabitants.

These days, the Yeomen have become a constantly photographed symbol of one of Britain's most visited attractions, welcoming more than three million guests in 2014 alone.

The Tower's current 37 yeomen are busy giving tours and entertaining tourists who want to be photographed with them - in addition to ceremonial duties that have changed little over the centuries.

It is clear that they cannot do without a cozy eatery where they can have a glass or two after finishing work.

"Let's drink so that you don't die as a yeoman guard"

"In the XVIII and 19th centuries There were dozens of taverns and bars inside the Tower, but now only one remains,” says chief yeoman guard Alan Kingshott.

The pub is called Yeoman Warders Club, and the drinks include, of course, Beefeater gin and Beefeater bitter beer - produced for yeomen by the British brewery Marston’s.

This pub is closed to outsiders except for invited guests like me.

Illustration copyright Historic Royal Palaces Image caption Few visitors realize that the inhabitants of the Tower continue to live and work in it even after the tourists leave

Red leather sofas and dark wood tables make this drinking establishment look like both a village pub and a bar where only their own people are allowed. However, its design is truly unique.

There's a ceremonial ax hanging in one corner, photographs of guests (including Bruce Willis and Tom Clancy) in another, and even a framed autograph of Rudolf Hess on official Tower of London letterhead.

Arrested in 1941, Hitler's deputy became a prisoner in the Tower for four days, during which several yeomen managed to get his autograph.

Illustration copyright John Lee Image caption Chief Yeoman Warder Alan Kingshott sits in the Yeoman Warders Club, a closed pub in the Tower of London.

But the most interesting thing is how the current yeomen are represented in the pub.

There are dozens of plaques on the walls indicating the places of service of each of the yeomen - to qualify for this honorable position, you must have at least 22 years of impeccable service in the armed forces.

Silver beer mugs standing in a row are reminiscent of the beefeater tradition, known only to a narrow circle of people.

“Each of us takes our mug in hand, and we welcome the new recruits into our ranks, gathered around a large decanter of port,” says Kingshott. “They swear allegiance, after which we make the following toast: “We drink to you not died a yeoman guard."

Strange words, aren't they? Like everything connected with the Tower, this custom also has its own history.

Previously, the yeoman's post, which included accommodation and food (the word "beefeater", from the English beef + eater, recalls the times when guards received part of their salary in meat), was bought on the principle of "whoever pays the most."

Working with people and birds

Yeoman could resign at any time and sell his position. Having died in service, a person lost the chance to earn extra money in this way - it was believed that he was unlucky.

Illustration copyright John Lee Image caption Yeoman guards don't just work with visitors

“This toast is still in vogue, but in 1826 everything changed fundamentally,” says Alan Kingshott. “It was then that the Duke of Wellington decided that ex-military men should become yeomen, and they should be appointed for distinction in military service - then they stopped trading positions."

Illustration copyright John Lee Image caption The yeoman guards of the Tower are entitled to housing within the fortress

Modern yeomen are still entitled to housing within the fortress - usually their quarters are located within the ancient walls of the Tower (Kingshott, for example, has to climb 48 steps of a spiral staircase to get home) - but are now charged reasonable rents.

According to the chief guard, most also have housing outside the Tower, where they can take a break from the turmoil associated with the activities of the beefeater.

Their duties also changed: the work of prison guards and guardians of royal regalia turned into the work of tour guides and escorts. "We've been primarily a visitor business since Victorian times," says Kingshott.

The list of requirements for candidates for the position of beefeater includes not only an impeccable track record, the ability to preserve traditions and live up to one’s honorary title, but also the ability to communicate with people.

Illustration copyright Getty Image caption Another ancient tradition is a search of the cellars of Parliament before the Queen's speech in the House of Lords.

Meeting visitors from all over the world is exciting, but "requests to take your picture starting right when you leave the apartment are harder to get used to," explains Yeoman newcomer Spike Abbott, appointed in April 2015.

Yeoman gets a bottle of Beefeater gin for his birthday

However, beefeaters still observe many ancient traditions. Some of them may seem simply eccentric: for example, the long-standing agreement with Marston’s on the terms of use of the Beefeater image includes, in particular, that every yeoman receives a bottle of Beefeater gin on his birthday.

Other traditions are more significant - for example, the nightly Ceremony of the Keys, during which the Tower is locked. This ritual is already 700 years old.

Illustration copyright Richard LeaHair Historic Royal Palaces Image caption The Key Ceremony is held every evening to ensure the safety of the Tower and the Crown Jewels

In addition, there is a "Ravenmaster", or Warden of the Ravens, a position traditionally held by a yeoman guard, currently held by Chris Scaife.

The black crows living in the Tower are almost as much a symbol of the fortress as the beefeaters, so the responsibility is great.

“No one knows exactly when the ravens first arrived here,” says Scafi. “According to legend, if the birds leave the Tower, the fortress and the kingdom will fall. Therefore, Charles II issued a decree according to which there must always be at least six ravens.”

Each of the seven winged inhabitants of the Tower has a name, including Merlin, Rocky and Jubilee. (More details about this in the article dedicated to the ravens of the Tower).

Illustration copyright John Lee Image caption Today the secrets of the Tower are kept by seven ravens

As a Ravenmaster, Scafi cleans bird cages, puts his charges to bed, and makes sure they are well fed.

“I source raw meat from Smithfield Market and offer the birds several types of meat daily,” he says. “Once a week the crows also get eggs – and sometimes rabbits, which I feed whole to them because the fur is good for them.”

Ravenmaster isn't the only behind-the-scenes work at the Tower.

The magic of the uniform

Yeoman Administrator Philip Wilson has been a Beefeater for 18 years, longer than any other current Warden. He is officially responsible for organizing the Ceremony of Keys, and also ensures that every yeoman is dressed to the nines.

“The admin job didn't initially involve that, but I took on that responsibility because I used to be a master tailor in the Coldstream Guards,” says Wilson.

Illustration copyright Nick Wilkinson Newsteam Historic Royal Palaces Image caption Beefeaters wore the Tudor sovereign gown to the parade to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012

All yeoman recruits are measured to have their uniforms tailored and tailored to fit their body.

"The Tudor sovereign's dress - the red and gilt uniform introduced in 1549 - has changed little. But the dark blue and red 'casual uniform' we wear every day was introduced only in 1858," explains Philip Wilson.

Nowadays, the Tudor uniform is worn only on occasions when yeomen are present at ceremonial occasions - or when the monarch visits the Tower.

However, the most amazing yeoman duty is perhaps that of a bartender.

If you walk along the cobbles from Traitor's Gate to the south wall of the Tower, inside it you will find a pub the size of a tennis court. It opens at 20:30 and is open from Monday to Saturday.

The exact founding date of the Yeoman Warders Club is unknown. It was located in different corners Tower throughout its history. The pub has been in its current premises for over 60 years.

Illustration copyright John Lee Image caption Up to 250 people gather for a Yeoman's excursion

Yeomen take turns standing at the bar, and visitors are charged for drinks, and the cost of alcohol is not subsidized by the state.

Most beefeaters find it difficult to maintain a balance between work and personal life, because they are constantly on duty, and free time are also often carried out at the workplace.

However, 63-year-old Alan Kingshott is confident that the uniqueness of this work compensates for its shortcomings.

“It is an incredible privilege to serve in this position, nothing compares to it. But I would not want to abuse the hospitality shown to me,” says Kingshott, and in his gaze, directed upward, over the majestic ancient walls, - the experience of many generations of the main guards - yeomen.

What should a real gentleman do? Of course, visit London and try Beefeater premium dry gin with rich history. This drink can fully convey the entire atmosphere of the English aristocracy and immerse you in the world of the foggy capital of Great Britain.

Creating the perfect drink

With the opening of a distillery in 1820 in Chelsea, the history of the famous Beefeater gin begins. James Barrow, a young pharmacist from the Devonshire estate, purchased the factory in 1863 for just a small amount of money. He dreams of creating the perfect type of gin. Taking on difficult work, Barrow conducts numerous experiments, studies the effect of certain medications on the human body and achieves that very perfect recipe for the drink.

In a short time, the distillery gained wide fame within London, and then in other areas. The production of not only gin, but also a wide range of liqueurs is being established. However, a gin called Beefeater is gaining popularity.

Etymology of the name

“Beefeater” means “meat eater” in English. Where does this name come from? The fact is that this was the name used for the court servants who served the royal court. Their task was to taste the meat prepared for the monarchs in order to exclude the possibility of a conspiracy to poison the kings. Only after some time did the guardsmen of the Middle Ages begin to be called “beefeaters”. They had special vestments and guarded the Tower, the then residence of the gentlemen.

On this moment these people are one of the most important symbols of the country. In Great Britain, a tradition has taken root unspokenly, where at Christmas every Beefeater Guardsman should receive this legendary gin, which was named after them, as a gift. To commemorate this symbol, the bottle label features a colorful Tower guard.

Beefeater London Dry Gin's first awards

Back in 1873, Beefeater held the title of spirit and was awarded its first prize at the South Kensington Exhibition. Established production allows gin to enter a larger arena outside the UK.

Many years later, America is the second country to produce this drink, and gin itself becomes the most popular alcohol for export. Since 1973, Beefeater has been participating in various competitions and tenders. It receives international recognition and awards for superior quality.

Interesting! Recently, in 2009, a completely new gin, Beefeater 24, was created. The name has the following explanation: 12 components are already included in the composition, but another 12 are herbal ingredients.

Secrets of the composition

- a unique drink produced in London and at the same factory for more than 150 years. The recipe, passed down from generation to generation, is now known to only 6 people working at the enterprise. Everything is kept in strict secrecy. What is known is that the composition includes the main raw material in the form of wheat alcohol. It has special qualities: mild taste and no smell. However, in addition to this, the composition includes: violet and angelica roots, malt, juniper berries, almonds, lemon and orange zest, coriander and others. Plants are collected all over the world and are processed only by hand.

Interesting! Juniper berries are delivered from Italy itself, and coriander, for example, from Romania, Russia or Belarus. Angelica is from Belgium, licorice is brought from China. All these “overseas” components set a special tone for the drink: woody and bitter taste, spice and tartness.

Beefeater gin experts claim that nothing affects the taste and aroma qualities more than the correct proportions in the production process. The important fact is that you will not feel the taste of “chemical” additives, because the drink does not undergo filtering of plant materials, but only 8 hours of distillation.

Drinking culture

Gin, unlike its counterparts brandy or whiskey with cognac, has a strength of 47% and is almost never consumed in its pure form. It is recommended to add ice, which melts over time and makes the gin a little diluted. Classic London Dry Gin is the basis of many popular cocktails. The most common is gin and tonic.

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Who are beefeaters?

"Free Yeomen" from 1485 - guards of the Tower. In the summer of 2007, a woman APPEARED among them for the first time :-)))

ZY INTERESTING! This is not a beef eater, but only an accord)). The word comes from the French buffetier - guarding a buffet, i.e. French provisions king. Buffetiers were guards in the palace of French kings. They protected the king's food.
The first female beefeater in British history has taken up her duties. This word, with which Russians are more associated with the brand of gin of the same name, is used to describe the guards of the Tower Castle in central London.
The word "beefeater" literally means "meat eater" (at one time their rations included meat, which was not often the case in the Middle Ages). A total of 36 beefeaters currently serve in the royal citadel. All of them are retired military personnel who spent at least 22 years on active duty.
The competition for the vacant position of guard, which took place at the beginning of the year, was sensationally won by a lady - 42-year-old Moira Cameron. She managed to beat five male contenders. Cameron has been serving in the British Army since she was 16 and has accumulated the length of service required to become a beefeater. Now on special days she will have to wear a ceremonial red and gold uniform (on ordinary days this uniform is blue and scarlet). The guardian of the citadel must not only guard the castle and its treasures, but also serve as a guide for tourists during tours of the Tower, and also monitor the famous ravens living in the fortress - symbols of the English royal house.
Moira's appointment "is an example of our commitment to gender equality in hiring," according to the Historic Royal Palaces Society, which includes the Tower. Cameron herself calls her new job “magical” and says that she is “incredibly happy.” The new beefeater will have the right to live on the Tower grounds. Now, for the first time in history, one of these guards will have a mirror and lipstick in his uniform pocket.

Beefeater is a dry gin produced according to the London style. Its composition, like other brands of gin, contains juniper berries, and additional components include almonds, angelica, coriander, and citrus zest, usually orange or lemon. As a result of this composition, gin has an invigorating, pleasant, slightly tart flavor of juniper and citrus, a strong and rich aroma. The drink is quite strong -47%. Although some people may appreciate gin neat or on the rocks, this drink is intended primarily for cocktails. This is a great mixing item with lots of possibilities.

The author of the premium gin recipe is James Barrow, who acquired the distillery in 1863. Bifitr is the rank of a guard who guarded the English monarchy. It is noteworthy that the main profession of the creator of Beefeater gin is a pharmacist. James Barrow has been studying the effects of drugs on for a long time. It was most likely due to James's special knowledge of medicine that he included many herbal supplements.

The word "beefeater" means "meat eater". Initially, beefeaters were the servants who tasted the meat products supplied to the monarchs. The main purpose of such a tasting was to identify the fact of possible poisoning of products

To make Beefeater, Barrow chose only the highest quality ingredients. The process of preparing and processing all products is carried out only manually. All ingredients are soaked in special solutions for 24 hours, and then undergo many hours of processing. The preparation times for the additives and their calculations were calculated by James Barrow himself.

Beefeater Composition

A beefeater is made from many components. The basis of the drink is wheat alcohol. Additional ingredients are juniper berries, orris root, lemon and orange peel, malt, angelica roots and seeds, coriander and almonds. This recipe has remained unchanged since the creation of Beefeater until the present day. However, a few years ago the classic gin got a new twist. In addition to traditional ingredients, twelve varieties of herbs were added to the recipe. This drink was named “Beefeater 24”.

Only six people know the exact recipe for making Beefeater 24 gin. This information is carefully hidden from outsiders

Wheat alcohol, unlike other varieties, has the main distinctive feature - the substance has absolutely no odor and has the mildest taste. Some of the components that make up Beefeater are brought to London from other countries. For example, juniper comes exclusively from Italian lands.

Both varieties of Beefeater are consumed most often in combination with tonics or as part of cocktails. In its pure form, gin must be diluted big amount ice and served exclusively in small portions.

“Beefeater” is a dry gin, whose homeland is Great Britain, or rather its capital - London. This one has been a leader in all ratings for about 150 years. It is recognized as the best in a hundred countries around the world. So we can safely say that Beefeater gin is number one in the world.

Calorie content and strength of the drink

This incredibly popular gin has a strength of 40 proof when it was made for the British. But the drink is exported at 47 degrees, like standard gin. The fact is that for residents 47 degrees is too high a strength. They prefer weaker drinks.

Gin with less alcohol also has lower calorie content. Forty proof gin has 217 calories per 100 ml. That is, 1 liter of Beefeater gin contains 2170 calories.

Beefeater's Roots

Many drinks in this class are called “London dry”. But only Beefeater can boast of its history. This is a gin whose homeland is England. The first mention of it dates back to 1876. The ancestor of this popular drink is considered to be a pharmacist from Devonshire. This Englishman lived in Canada for a long time. His name is James Barrow.

In 1863, he returned to his homeland and made the most successful purchase of his life. With all his four hundred pounds, he bought a distillery in Chelsea.

This enterprising man was not only accustomed to holding luck by the tail, but also nurtured quite ambitious plans. After such a successful acquisition, he conducted enough experiments, mixing all types of herbs that he could get. James's main goal was to create a drink that would be famous throughout the world for another decade.

He achieved his goal, as today Beefeater is the number one gin in the world.

The bottle depicts a guard of the Tower of London. Few people here know that the British call these guards Beefeaters. Hence the name.

The production of this legendary gin belonged to the Barrow dynasty for more than a hundred years. However, at the end of the last century, the brand was bought by the titan of alcohol production, the world-famous Pernod Ricard campaign. But the production location has not changed; London remains the birthplace of gin.

Production technology

Apparently, Barrow was not only a pharmacist, his knowledge of botany was also quite wide. This is directly confirmed by Beefeater gin. It contains about 10 plants. Only a true specialist could combine the bouquet so harmoniously. The composition of this strong drink necessarily includes juniper, or rather its berries. But there is also lemon zest, angelica, almonds, coriander and Seville orange. Angelica and coriander, as well as almonds, add an exquisite herbal aroma. The characteristic bitterness comes from these same plants. Only Beefeater has these distinctive qualities.

Only high-quality wheat and barley alcohol is used in the production of this gin. They are poured with plant components and left for 24 hours. Then the liquid is sent to a vertical distiller and distilled very slowly. This process lasts at least seven hours. After all this, the drink is diluted to 40 or 47 degrees. For this purpose, only crystal clear water is used. After which the bottling begins.

Beefeater is a fairly exclusive drink, so don't try to make it at home. Nothing will work out. The Beefeater recipe has been kept a closely guarded secret for many years. It’s not enough to know all the components (and not all are widely available), you also need to strictly observe the proportions, but no one will tell you for sure. The original recipe is kept under lock and key, and only 6 people have access to it.

Work on "Beefeater"

It is worth adding that work on the recipe is still underway. The current owners are constantly trying to improve their English gin.

The result of this work was new types of drink. They appear almost every year. But their release is strictly limited. There is a gin called Beefeater 24. It was released in 2009.

Grapefruit zest and Far Eastern tea were added to the classic ingredients. But in the summer of 2010, a gin appeared, which, among other things, contained black currant berries, hibiscus and elderberry.

The popularity of Beefeater gin is emphasized by photos that can be seen in the most popular glossy magazines. It is unlikely that you will find at least one men's magazine that has not at least once posted a photo of this drink on its pages.

How to serve gin?

This drink is available in various containers. But as practice has shown, the most popular container for Beefeater gin is 1 liter.

So, first, cool the drink. To do this, either put it in the refrigerator or dilute it with a few ice cubes. Try the gin neat. Even one small sip will instantly burn your mouth pleasantly.

Please note that gin is a noble drink and has its own traditions. This applies not only to consumption. If you pay attention, you will notice that its label has not changed dramatically for many years. This emphasizes a special attitude towards traditions.

Any quality gin has a bright juniper aroma. But only Beefeater is distinguished by a pleasant note of coriander and citrus freshness. In the aftertaste you can clearly hear the pleasant bitterness provided by the almonds and the acidity of the lemon.

If you don't like strong alcoholic drinks, then add to gin more ice to soften it.

Gin does not go well with all juices. It is best mixed with grape, apple, orange or grapefruit drinks. An olive would be a great addition to it.

For gin, tall, square-shaped glasses are used. First of all, ice is placed in them. A slice of lemon is also sent there, and only after that gin is poured, but very slowly, in a thin stream, to smoothly dissolve the ice.

How to drink strong drink?

Since the drink has a high strength and its taste burns, it is better to drink it in small sips. One glass of gin can last the whole evening.

If you still decide to dilute the gin, then you need to add another drink after the gin itself is already in the glass. Most often, this alcoholic drink is diluted 1:2. But this is a purely personal matter for everyone.

How is it used in folk medicine?

1. We treat bronchitis. The drink will help get rid of cough, as it has an excellent thinning effect. It also has an expectorant effect. To treat this disease, Beefeater should be mixed with chamomile decoction in a 1:2 ratio. You need to take the drink in the same way as cough syrup: 15 ml three times a day before meals for five days.
2. Gin will also help with radiculitis. You need to mix gin, white radish juice and onion juice in equal proportions. Apply this solution to gauze or cotton wool and apply to the lower back for half an hour. The effect will be much better if you wrap the compress on top with polyethylene and a warm cloth.
3. Saves from diseases of the throat and ligaments. Mix 400 ml of water with a tablespoon of sugar and bring to a boil. Send the onion there and cook until the root vegetable becomes soft. After the mixture has cooled, pour 50 ml of Beefeater into it. Take a teaspoon per day.